“Going to a restaurant is one of my keenest pleasures. Meeting someplace with old and new friends, ordering wine, eating food, surrounded by strangers, I think is the core of what it means to live a civilised life.” - Adam Gopnik
During G & I’s recent wedding anniversary getaway to Charlottesville, VA, we made it our mission to dine at really good restaurants. Charlottesville was my home for 4 years, while working towards my undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. It was so nice going back to enjoy the city, while indulging in an old favorite and brand new restaurants.
Today I’m sharing my top spots for each meal of the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Breakfast
Recently, I read Virginia Foodie’s recent blog post, a full list of must-try restaurants in my home state. MarieBette was at the top of the list for Charlottesville. I absolutely could not wait to try it out. Carbs are my guilty pleasure, and I’ve been really wanting to indulge in some delicious pastries. The bakery is quaint, but super packed, it was the hot spot on a quiet Sunday morning. We were in awe of all the freshly baked goods on display and the staff was so kind to us. We ordered several pastries to try out, and all of them were delicious. Also, we purchased a loaf of sourdough to take back home with us, and G and I are so glad we did.
The entrance into the bakery.
Menu and freshly baked breads.
The decadent Pecan Sticky Bun.
All of the assorted delicious pastries on display.
Lunch
Cane’s is nostalgic for me, and something that I ate all during my four years at UVa. The restaurant is a few miles away from campus, and the spot is decked out in Virginia Cavalier decor. Raising Cane’s is home for me - and I could not wait to order my go to meal.
Chicken tenders, crinkle-cut french fries, and Texas toast - can’t forget that yummy’s Cane’s sauce!
Dinner
This spot was a highlight for my husband and I. We wanted one night to get dressed up, and walk the Downtown Mall to take in all the sights. Prime 109 was top on our list to visit, and it was also a winner, because they serve dry-aged steaks too! One particular steak they dry-age for over 100 days, which is so rare to find, so of course G had to try it out. This restaurant is in an old bank, and the decor is stunning. Their food is top-notch, and they have the wonderful staff to compliment it. Prime 109 hasn’t even been open for a year yet, but their future is oh so bright - we cannot wait to return.
The entrance into Prime 109.
The meat locker, where all of the steaks are dry-aging.
The lovely menu.
Wine that our sommelier hand-picked for us to enjoy with our dinner.
Freshly baked rolls, with sea salt sprinkled on top, and whipped butter for a spread.
Scallops paired with broccolini, bebere spice, anchovies, kumquat, babaganoush, and onion.
109-Day dry aged 24oz Bone-In Ribeye.
What are some of your places to dine out of home city? Also, do you like exploring and trying new restaurants while traveling? Share below!
XO, Analise